Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

2
Planning Your Trip to Las Vegas
Before any trip, you need to do a bit of advance planning. You’ll need to decide
whether a package tour makes sense for you, when to go, and more. In the pages
that follow, you’ll find everything you need to know to handle the practical
details of planning your trip in advance: airlines and area airports, a calendar of
events, a list of major conventions you may want to avoid, resources for those of
you with special needs, and much more.
We also suggest that you check out chapter 10, “Las Vegas After Dark,” before
you leave home. If you want to see the most popular shows, it’s a good idea to
call ahead and order tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment. Ditto if
you want to dine in one of the city’s top restaurants: Head to chapter 6, “Where
to Dine,” for full reviews and contact information.
1 Visitor Information
For advance information, call or write
the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority, 3150 Paradise Rd., Las
Vegas, NV 89109 (& 877/VISIT-LV
or 702/892-7575; www.vegasfreedom.
com). They can send you a comprehensive
packet containing brochures, a
map, a show guide, an events calendar,
and an attractions list; help you find a
hotel that meets your specifications
(and even make reservations); and tell
you if a major convention is scheduled
during the time you would like to visit
Las Vegas. Or stop by when you’re in
town. They’re open daily from 8am to
5pm.
Another excellent information
source is the Las Vegas Chamber of
Commerce, 3720 Howard Hughes
Pkwy., #100, Las Vegas, NV 89109
2 Money
ATMS
The easiest and best way to get cash
away from home is from an ATM
(automated teller machine). The Cirrus
(& 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.
(& 702/735-1616; www.lvchamber.
com). Ask them to send you their Visitor’s
Guide, which contains extensive
information about accommodations,
attractions, excursions, children’s activities,
and more. They can answer all
your Las Vegas questions, including
those about weddings and divorces.
They’re open Monday to Friday from
8am to 5pm.
For information on all of Nevada,
including Las Vegas, contact the
Nevada Commission on Tourism
(& 800/638-2328; www.travelnevada.
com). They have a comprehensive
information packet on Nevada.
There’s also lots of great info on the
Web. See “Planning Your Trip Online,”
later in this chapter, which will send
you straight to the most useful sites.
com) and PLUS (& 800/843-7587;
www.visa.com) networks span the
globe; look at the back of your bank
card to see which network you’re
on, then call or check online for ATM